Sutton: Alves should have started for Rangers against Celtic

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Rangers suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Celtic on Sunday afternoon.

Celtic icon Chris Sutton has claimed in his Daily Record column that Rangers veteran Bruno Alves should have started, to allow Ross McCrorie to play in midfield over Andy Halliday.

Halliday, 26, was withdrawn in the 41st minute and replaced by Josh Windass in what was a tactical decision made by Graeme Murty. A disappointed Halliday appeared to take his anger out on the Rangers bench after being taken off.

But the substitute failed to work as Celtic went on to earn an excellent 4-0 win and book their place in the Scottish Cup final against Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell, who beat Aberdeen 3-0 on Saturday.

Sutton claimed that Alves, who came on to the field of play in the 51st minute to replace red-carded McCrorie, should have started from the off – which in turn would have seen McCrorie start in midfield.

“It was a big call for the Rangers manager bringing in Halliday with Ross McCrorie another option in that position,” Sutton said. “Did he get it right? Obviously not.

“He left out the vastly experienced Bruno Alves and should maybe have played McCrorie one up. Moussa Dembele is not lightning quick and you can’t tell me Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic are going to sprint away from the Rangers backline.”

Tom Rogic opened the scoring, showing class and skill to bury a right-footed effort past Wes Foderingham. A Russell Martin mistake allowed Callum McGregor to double Celtic’s advantage.

Moussa Dembele chipped Celtic to a third from the penalty spot, before Olivier Ntcham scored a second penalty to win 4-0. Since Rangers returned to the top flight, Sunday’s clash was the 11th Old Firm derby between the two sides.

Portuguese veteran Alves has struggled since his move to Ibrox, starting just three games in 2018 and has been pushed down the pecking order following the signing of Russell Martin on loan until the end of the season.

Yet, Rangers are yet to win once, though they have another chance to do so on April 29 when they travel to Celtic Park to face Rodgers side once again.